Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2012) 142, 258-270
Touhidur Rahman, Helen Spafford and Sonya Broughton (2012)
Use of spinosad and predatory mites for the management of Frankliniella occidentalis in low tunnel-grown strawberry
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 142 (3), 258-270
Abstract: Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a major pest of strawberry. The efficacy of three species of predatory mites, Typhlodromips montdorensis (Schicha), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (both: Acari: Phytoseiidae), and Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) (Acari: Laelapidae), and their compatibility with spinosad for the control of this thrips was evaluated in commercial strawberry in spring. Low tunnel-grown strawberry was treated with 'water then mites', 'spinosad then mites', or 'mites then spinosad'. Predatory mites were released as single-, two- and three-species combinations. Overall, spinosad-treated plants had fewer thrips than water-treated plants (control). In all treatment regimes, each species of predatory mite reduced the number of thrips relative to those plants that received no mites. Predatory mites were most effective in reducing thrips when released after spinosad was applied. Any multiple-species combination of predatory mites reduced thrips numbers more than single-species releases. The two-species combination of T. montdorensis (foliage inhabiting) and H. miles (soil dwelling) was the most effective in suppressing thrips. The next most effective combination was a three-species release. Of multiple-species combinations, the two-species combination of T. montdorensis and N. cucumeris was the least effective in suppressing thrips numbers. The spinosad and mites only temporarily reduced the numbers of F. occidentalis. This suggests that further application of predatory mites, spinosad, or both is required to maintain F. occidentalis populations below an economically damaging level.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Touhidur Rahman, Helen Spafford, Sonya Broughton
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
resistance to pesticides
application technology
